Legislative Update #3

 

Legislative Update #3

Florida Greyhound Association

(Date - Friday - March 23, 2007)

 

From: FGA President Phil Ruotolo

 

Phil Ruotolo and members of the FGA lobbying team had a very productive week in Tallahassee and continue to see movement with pari-mutuel legislation.

 

On Monday, representatives from the greyhound, jai alai and standard-bred horse industries met jointly with Sen. Dennis Jones, chairman of the Senate Regulated Industries Committee. His bill (SB 1038) regarding slot machines continues to evolve, and we asked him to consider adding a provision that would give us the same arbitration rights that thoroughbred horse owners and breeders have.

 

We presented Sen. Jones with compelling arguments about why this is so important.

 

For example, the jai alai lobbyist explained that players are currently engaged in a “soft strike.” They continue to show up for work but picket during off-work hours. The standard bred horse owners and breeders last week filed a lawsuit against the Pompano race track over purse agreements.  

 

Phil explained to Sen. Jones the situations many of you face, including the financial burden you suffer as a result of unfair purse-sharing agreements.

 

Sen. Jones was very supportive and asked us to submit language to his staff. It looks similar to the bills filed last year by Rep. Will Kendrick and Sen. Mike Bennett.

 

This bill is scheduled for a committee hearing on Tuesday, March 27.

 

WE NEED YOUR HELP NOW convincing other senators on the committee to include our “equity” language. Phone or email  the following committee members and ask them to support language in SB 1038 that gives us mandatory arbitration rights with greyhound track owners.

 

 

Senator

E-mail

District Office

Capitol Phone

 

Argenziano, Nancy

http://argenziano.nancy.web@flsenate.gov

 

Crystal River

850 487-5017

 

Aronberg, Dave

http://aronberg.dave.web@flsenate.gov

 

Greenacres/

Palm Beach County

850 487-5356

 

Fasano, Mike

http://fasano.mike.web@flsenate.gov

 

New Port Richey

850 487-5062

 

Geller, Steven

http://geller.steven.web@flsenate.gov

 

Hallandale Beach

850 487-5097

 

Haridopolos, Mike

http://haridopolos.mike.web@flsenate.gov

 

Melbourne

850 487-5056

 

Hill, Tony

http://hill.tony.web@flsenate.gov

 

Jacksonville

904- 924-1646

King, Jim

http://king.james.web@flsenate.gov

 

Jacksonville

904-727-3600

Rich, Nan

http://rich.nan.web@flsenate.gov

 

Sunrise

954747-7933

Wise, Stephen

http://wise.stephen.web@flsenate.gov

 

Jacksonville

904-381-6000

 

 

 

In the Florida House this week, the Business Regulation Committee Chaired by Representative Carlos Lopez-Cantera approved HB 1377 relating to Card Rooms.

 

The Bill, as it passed, would permit additional games to be played in card rooms, would permit Tournaments, permit hours of operation to be moved and permit operators to award giveaways.

 

Representative Evan Jenne D-Davie sponsored an Amendment at the request of Chairman Lopez-Canters that would let tracks run cardrooms without live racing but only if they had a written agreement with the association  representing a majority of the owners, trainers, or breeders in the State.  

 

The Amendment passed unanimously.

 

This will mandate that the Greyhound tracks negotiate fairly with the Florida Greyhound Association (FGA) on this issue and could set a precedent for other issues such as purses from VLT’s.

 

This Amendment would provide unprecedented equality in contract negotiating with the Greyhound Tracks

 

This was accomplished only because of the Leadership of Committee Chairman Carlos Lopez-Cantera R-Miami.

 

The Bill now goes to the Jobs and Entrepreneurship Council Chaired by Rep. Ron Regan R-Sarasota.

 

Report given by FGA Lobbying Team: Jack Cory, Lena Juarez and Alisa Snow